KEVIN Ball will take charge of Sunderland’s reserve team for the first time in public as the Black Cats take on Northern League side Whitby Town tonight.

Ball’s men played a behind-closed-doors friendly against Scottish side Hamilton Academical yesterday at the Academy of Light, but this evening’s game at The Turnbull (kick-off 7pm) will mark his first real game as successor to Keith Bertschin.

And the game will pit Ball against one of his former Wearside team-mates Darren Williams, who took over as player-manager at Whitby early last season.

“We’re delighted to have Sunderland coming down here and I’m looking forward to seeing Bally again,” said Williams, who spent eight years at Sunderland before leaving in 2004.

“I know the first team are away in Korea, but Bally will bring the strongest team he has available and whoever he picks is still a player at a Premier League club.

“It will be a really good test for us and help us prepare for the new season.

“We finished last year strongly and we are hoping to strengthen this summer and carry on where we left off when we get started again.”

Former England Under-21 international Williams also intends to play against his old club.

“I’m still playing, mainly in central midfield,” said the 35-year-old.

“But I’m not guaranteed a place in the side – even now I’m the manager!

“I didn’t play against Darlington in our first pre-season game last weekend, but I’m going to play for maybe 45 minutes tonight.”